by Leslie North
“Kim! Kim!” Amare shouted. “You must come down here!”
The passengers stepped aside in bemusement as Kimberly slowly walked down the stairs toward the brothers who were laughing and clapping each other on the back.
Chapter Twenty
“What are you doing here?” she whispered unsure if her voice would be steady if she spoke in a normal tone. Many of the passengers had pulled out their phones and were taking videos of them.
Karim walked towards her and took her hands in his. Kissing them both, he looked into her eyes, “Don’t go,” he said simply. Kim gasped and stared at him. She did not know what to say or to do. She just stood there wide-eyed staring at him.
“Don’t go back, not now. Not before we’ve had a chance to see if we will work.” Looking at her face, he realised that she had been crying and his face softened as he rubbed her cheek. “Please stay. At least for a little while longer,” he pleaded.
In her heart, Kim wanted to say yes, but she needed answers.
“But your father…”
“Is an old fool who needs someone like you around to remind him what it’s like to be young and in love,” Saeed said as he walked around the side of the car toward her.
Shaking her head, Kim rubbed her eyes and looked back up, as Saeed grinned at her. “Yes, even an old dog like me can mend his ways.”
Suddenly remembering what he had just said, she looked at Karim, “Love?”
Nodding his head, Karim looked at her, “Love.”
Staring at him, Kim still couldn’t comprehend what was going on. “So, you, love me?” she asked.
Nodding his head again, “Yes, I love you, Kimberly Atkins.”
Shaking her head, Kim stepped back wondering if this was some sort of cruel joke. How could he love her? Realizing that she didn’t believe him, he stepped toward the passengers who had clustered around them to watch.
Pointing to her, he looked at them, “Evidently, she doesn’t believe me,” he told them as they nodded in agreement. “I seem to have a reputation as someone who was adamant that love did not exist. That love was for the weak.” Clutching his hands to his heart, he looked at Kim, “Well, if that is the case, then I can think of no better woman to lose myself to than Miss Atkins over there.”
Wiping the tears off her face, she still refused to walk to him. “You don’t believe in relationships.”
Waving his finger in the air, he looked at the passengers again. “Now that was once true. Like love, I thought that relationships made you weak because it would mean depending on someone else. But it also means that they will stand by your side through the good and the bad. Unfortunately, I find that I am in love with the one woman who isn’t eager to jump my bones,” he told them conspiratorially. “What am I going to do about that?” he asked.
“Incoming!” Amare shouted moments before he felt Kimberly slam into his back sending them both tumbling to the ground.
Rolling onto his back to catch her, he laughed as she joyously kissed his face.
“I love you too, Karim Sharqi,” she shouted as the passengers began to clap and cheer.
The sound of sirens in the distance had Saeed Sharqi looking over his shoulder.
“Oh dear, I think those are for me,” he said calmly.
“Wait, what?” Kim asked.
Laughing, “Yes, father crashed through the security barrier so we wouldn’t miss your flight,” Amare told her.
“So, if you don’t mind, could we please keep an old man out of jail and get out of here?” Saeed asked plaintively as everyone laughed. “Come on, I’ll drive,” he offered as he walked toward the driver’s side.
“No!” the brothers shouted in unison.
Chapter Twenty-one
Two months later, Kim sat in the courtyard with Saeed; teaching him how to use a computer as he eagerly scoured the current news feeds for stock information. He chuckled with glee over a human-interest piece about him saving the orphanage.
Karim stood at a distance and watched her tutoring his father. It was crazy how things had changed so much in such a short time. Six months ago, he was working out right there in the courtyard while Kim had been spying on him from above. He had known that she was watching him from the moment she rustled the curtains and he had stayed out there far longer than he normally would. So much so, that he was sore the next day, but it was worth it.
While he would not have readily admitted his attraction to her, it pleased him that she found him desirable more than any other woman had and it had taken him months finally to understand why. Without intending to, she had managed to get under his skin in ways that no other human had ever done and now, he couldn’t imagine it any other way.
***
The last two months had been very eventful for Kim. She was actually spending time with Saeed and teaching him how to use the computer. Kim and Saeed slowly built a relationship as she worked to show him that not all western women were bad.
Thankfully, he came to realise his mistake and even told Kim that she was good for Karim. He had changed for the better because of her. Amare had also passed his exams with flying colours and was amongst the top ten in the country.
Saeed was so grateful to Kim for Amare’s high marks that he had offered her a large bonus, but instead of taking the cheque, she asked him to save the orphanage instead. Her response caught Saeed off guard, as he didn’t expect her to be so generous. Picking up the phone, he called the director to find out exactly how much they needed and he readily agreed to cover all their financial needs.
“I believe I misjudged you gravely,” he told her as he read the article about the orphanage. She smiled and shook her head.
“That is all in the past now,” she said to him, pressing her hand into his.
“I am glad that we have this second chance to get to know one another.”
Kim was also pleased to have the opportunity to know Saeed. Even though he was a strict and traditional man, deep down he cared for his sons and wanted what was best for them. In the last two months, he had showed Kim kindness and he saved the orphanage.
“Me too. And, I am grateful for the donation you made. I can’t begin to express how much it helped the girls who have no one else.”
“It’s alright, my dear. I am just touched by your actions. Most people would have taken the money for themselves.”
Kim smiled. She looked around, wondering where Karim had disappeared. She was sitting in the very spot where she had seen him working out all those months ago and the thought of it made her smile, as she remembered how shocked she was when he winked at her.
The past two months with Karim had been great for Kim. She had really gotten to know him and found that he was unlike the man she thought he was. He was so caring and fun. She had never been so happy in her life. A part of her still worried that this was all some lavish dream and any moment, she would wake up.
Claire had teased her, telling her that she was never coming back. She honestly did not feel like returning. Life with Karim brought her joy and her volunteer work at the orphanage made her feel fulfilled. Amare walked out onto the courtyard.
“Hello all,” he said as he sat down at the table. He picked up Kim’s glass and drank her iced tea.
“Amare!” she chastised. “I was still drinking that.”
“Thanks, I was really thirsty,” he said with a cheeky grin and put the glass down on the table. Kim frowned at him.
“I did not give it to you,” she told him before she hit his shoulder in mock anger. Saeed just laughed and shook his head.
Suddenly they heard the warning alarm for a coming sand storm. Looking at each other, they quickly rose and walked inside. Realising that the alarm was coming from in the house, instead of outside, they followed the sound around to the entryway where they came upon some of the girls from the orphanage standing there holding letters to form a sentence.
They all smiled at her as they held their letters up. Kim read the sentence aloud, “Will…
you… marry… me?”
Karim was standing with them. He walked towards Kim and dropped to one knee as he took her left hand in his.
“Kimberly Atkins, will you make me the happiest man alive and marry me?” he asked her. Pulling a velvet box out of his pocket, he opened it and presented it to her. Kim gasped when she saw the huge blue sapphire mounted on a platinum band. There were tiny diamonds around the sapphire that twinkled in the sunlight.
“Yes,” she said to him as she wiggled her fingers impatiently while he slid the ring on. “Of course, I will marry you.” Rising to his feet, he swept her up into his arms and kissed her deeply as everyone cheered
Epilogue
“Karim, I have to go,” Kim complained. She had to go to the orphanage but Karim was not allowing her to get out of bed. Since they had been engaged, she had spent every night in his bed.
“Stay a bit longer,” he whispered against her ear before he nibbled on it making her giggle.
“I already stayed an hour longer than I should have.”
He caressed her back as he stroked his way down toward her ass. Kim quickly jumped out of bed. She knew that once he started touching her, there would be no end to it. She would never be able to get out of bed and they would spend the whole day in together. Again. She rushed out of his room and back to her own. She had enough time to take a quick shower and get to the orphanage.
“Kim! Over here!” Salma signalled for her. Kim rushed over to the other teachers.
“Hey guys, I am running late.”
“Don’t worry there is someone taking over your class already.”
Kim frowned. “Who?” she asked. She always looked forward to teaching her girls.
“That does not matter. You’ve been the talk of the orphanage this week,” Dania told her.
“Let’s see the ring.” Rene said to her. Kim giggled as she held her hand out to the women. “It’s massive.”
“It’s so gorgeous. You’re so lucky,” Salma told her.
“I’m jealous,” Dania told her.
“So, I ask again, how is it living with Karim Sharqi?” Dania asked her as the ladies all giggled together. Feeling her phone vibrate, Kim fished it out of her purse. It was a message from Claire. It was her first week working in the library at Harvard and Kim was excited to find out how she was doing. The message read:
You won’t believe who I just saw…
END OF BOOK ONE
Book two out 19th August 2015
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Excerpt From The Sheikh’s Accidental Pregnancy (The Botros Brothers Series Book 1)
It was finally Friday, the last day of the workweek and the last late work night! Sara was happy. She was not used to working such late nights and it was exhausting. She could not wait to get the work over and done with so that she could start her weekend, kick back and relax.
She had worked with Amir every night and he laughed at how tired she got. He kept saying that she was too cute. Sara never understood how she was cute but it didn't bother her. That Friday, Amir had a mysterious appointment he needed to go to. Sara manned his appointments and she was unaware of this one.
“Sir, you're being too secretive,” she said to him as he laughed and ruffled her hair.
“I am not,” he replied.
“Then, why do I not know about this appointment? And why aren't I coming along?”
“You're working late,” Amir replied as he kept inching towards the door. Sara placed her hands on her hips and stared at him.
“A date?” Sara asked him.
“I shall see you on Monday,” Amir smiled mischievously. Sara laughed and bid him farewell. She knew that he was going on a date. He seemed to be quite the ladies’ man. She made a mental note to grill him about him it on Monday. She took the files she needed from his desk and locked his door before she headed back to her office.
After what seemed like hours and hours of work, Sara decided to walk around the building. After sitting for so long, she needed to stretch and relax for a bit. The place was deserted so she kicked off her shoes before wandering around. Sara frowned as she wished that she were home or out with the twins.
Sara dragged her feet as she walked around the building. She didn't even care what she looked like, nobody was there to see her. She was wearing a black knee-length, pencil skirt and a white camisole that she had untucked. Her long curly hair had long ago come loose from its bun, so she left it down as it rested on her back.
She turned a corner and saw the light on in the conference room. She growled silently. Who had not bothered to switch the light off? She dragged her feet and headed towards the conference room to switch the light off. She walked into the room and towards the light switch. She was in her own world looking at the ground.
“Can I help you with something?” A deep voice sounded from behind her. It startled her as she squealed and turned around quickly.
“Oh gosh,” she sighed with relief. It was Tariq leaning on the table reading some paperwork. He was wearing grey pants and a white shirt. A couple of buttons were unbuttoned, revealing the top of his chest. “You scared me,” she scolded.
“Do you need something?” he asked her. Sara shrugged. She didn't really expect him to be polite to her.
“I saw the light on and I came to switch it off because I thought no one was in here,” Sara replied. Tariq stared at her. She looked untidy and she was barefoot!
“Why are you barefoot?” He could not help himself. He had to ask her.
“I was wearing heels all day. My feet hurt,” Sara responded in an unfriendly tone. She was trying her best not to snap at him but she had lost her patience with his attitude long ago. He did not respond to her as he stared at her. “Working late?” she asked. She caught his gaze and suddenly felt uncomfortable as she slowly inched for the door. He didn't respond to her as he felt like she was asking an obvious question. Sara placed her hands on her hips.
“Why is it that you can never answer me or even act polite towards me?” Sara asked him. She couldn't ignore it anymore. He always felt the need to be that way towards her and she had not done anything to him. On top of that, she was tired and had enough of his attitude towards her.
Tariq raised his eyebrows as he regarded her. He was not expecting her to question him nor did she have the right to. “I am not obligated to do either,” he sai
d. His voice was now deeper.
“I never did anything to offend you.”
She has full lips, Tariq thought to himself as he remembered her licking her lips in the restaurant. It did not matter anyway he thought. “Your persona is offensive,” he said to her.
“Excuse me?”
“Who walks around barefoot?”
Sara frowned. You're the one with an ugly persona. She looked away. She was in the middle of arguing with him and his chest was distracting her. From the little glimpse she got, she could tell that he was very toned. The bulk of his muscles were always showing in the clothes he wore and how was it that he had time to exercise when he was always working?
“You do not act like a lady should,” Tariq added.
“I am good at my job and that's all you should be concerned about,” Sara shot back.
“For England, perhaps. But this is Saudi Arabia and you work for the Botros.”
“Because you're so freaking special,” Sara mumbled under her breath as she headed for the door. If she stayed in there any longer, she would say things that she would regret. She liked Amir and respected him enough not to disrespect his brother. She got the shock of her life when Tariq grabbed her arm and pulled her back.
“What did you say?” he demanded. He had pulled her close to him and she was now standing inches from him. She was shocked at how he pulled her so easily as if she weighed nothing.
“Being a little bit more polite and less judgemental to others will not harm you,” Sara said. She was not going to let him intimidate her; she was going to stand her ground. His gaze had grown darker and more intense. He stared at her and she stared back. She was not going to look away first.